[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 178 (Thursday, November 17, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1159-E1160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING SENATOR PATRICIA TORRES RAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ILHAN OMAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2022

  Ms. OMAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 16-
year career of Minnesota Senator Patricia Torres Ray.

[[Page E1160]]

  Throughout her five terms of dedicated service to our community, 
Senator Torres Ray has always served her constituents with the 
kindness, compassion, and representation they deserve. Beyond her 
exceptional constituent service, she has had a transformative impact on 
the Minnesota legislature and the lives of Minnesotans alike. She came 
to the Senate in with keen values-driven policymaking experience that 
she has utilized to raise up the voices of those who are too often 
unheard. A shining example of this is her hard-fought victory to 
enshrine the Minnesota Homeowner's Bill of Rights, which she authored, 
into Minnesota law in 2013.
  Patricia has been--and always will be--a trailblazer. In 2006, she 
became the first Latina ever elected to the Minnesota Senate. Never 
shying away from leadership positions, she has been Chair of the Senate 
Education Committee, Parks and Trails Legacy Committee, New Immigration 
Policy Commission, People of Color and Indigenous Caucus, and was 
Majority Whip in her first term. Ever since she pushed through the door 
of the Minnesota legislature, she has been steadfast in her efforts to 
keep it open for future generations of leaders--especially other women 
of color who have been historically excluded from the representational 
opportunities afforded to others. I am one of those leaders.
  Her legacy is a testament to what is possible when someone like 
Patricia's diverse, bold leadership shatters glass ceilings. During her 
tenure, has encouraged countless women of color to embrace their power, 
their stories, and their voices to influence the political process as 
both advocates and as elected representatives. Her passion for 
increasing diverse representation has been continually recognized 
throughout her career; just last month she was a receipient of the 
CLUES 2022 Latino Trailblazer Leadership Award for her years of 
outstanding leadership, and her advocacy for access and opportunities 
for the Latino community. This recognition extends far beyond 
Minnesota, including as Chair of the Latinas Lead Initiative of the 
National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.
  I have been honored to call Senator Torres Ray an inspiration, 
colleague, and friend. I wish her the very best for her retirement and 
look forward to seeing her impact unfold for generations to come. The 
Minnesota legislature is a better place because of her efforts and I 
know her fellow colleagues will cherish their memories of serving with 
her, as do I.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and 
thanking Senator Patricia Torres Ray for her hard work as a Senator, 
and to wish her well for her well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________